Preservation group hosts annual meeting

Preservation Garland, Inc. hosted its annual meeting Saturday, March 12, at the Nicholson Memorial Library in downtown Garland. Among the attendees were three members of the Lyles family, Charles and Anne Lyles, along with daughter Deanna Lyles. Their ancestors were once owners of the Tinsley/Lyles House that now awaits renovation and is currently located at Heritage Park.

Guest speaker Ted Gupton gave a presentation on the Van Zandt Cottage in Fort Worth’s Heritage Village during which he explained the process of transforming the structure from a dilapidated farmhouse into the gem that it currently is. Fundraising methods and the cottage’s history and future use possibilities were also discussed.

Garland architect and Preservation Garland, Inc. member Ron Hobbs addressed the membership regarding the much anticipated renovations that are planned for the Granger Recreation Center at Garland’s Central Park.

Additionally, the organization had conducted a logo contest and the new design was unveiled at the meeting. The winning logo was created by Christina Fugitt, 2015 graduate of Garland High School and former student of GHS art teacher Karen Hatten. Fugitt received a trophy that featured her logo design as well as a $100 cash gift.

Mayor Douglas Athas, Ron Hobbs, Janet Black, Ciara Dickson-Ford and Wesley Johnson served as logo contest judges.

To Join PGI, call or email Cleo Holden at 972-240-0383 or tcbelle@verizon.net. Dues are affordable at $25 for individuals and $35 for families or $75 for businesses and organizations. Members receive the monthly Preservation Garland Times via email.

About Preservation Garland, Inc.: Our mission is to educate the people of Garland and vicinity in the history of their community and to encourage civic pride in that heritage by publication and distribution of educational materials, presentation of informative programs, lectures, workshops, news publicity, conducting local history tours and marking historic buildings and sites. The group was organized for the charitable and educational purposes of identifying and documenting historical sites, structures and districts in and about the city of Garland, and to engage in activities which will preserve these sites, structures and districts.  

About Van Zandt Cottage: The Van Zandt Cottage is owned by the City of Fort Worth’s Parks and Community Services Department, and operated by Log Cabin Village The cottage is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a local landmark as the oldest home in Fort Worth on its original foundation, and as one of the early homes of Major K.M. Van Zandt. It is recognized on a national level as an example of an early restoration project. The cottage was first restored by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1936 as a project for the Texas Centennial.